Best Dog Toothbrush and Toothpaste: What Vets Say to Use

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Brushing is the best thing you can do at home for your dog’s teeth, and the right toothbrush and toothpaste make it much easier to keep up. This page explains what vets say to look for in a dog toothbrush and toothpaste, why human toothpaste is off the table, what the VOHC seal means, when to see your vet instead, and our picks based on hands-on use by other reviewers.

The short answer: use a soft-bristled brush made for dogs (or a finger brush to start) and a toothpaste made for pets, never human toothpaste. Aim to brush daily. If your dog has bad breath, red or bleeding gums, or loose or broken teeth, see your vet before you start brushing.

How we wrote this: the brushing and toothpaste advice comes from the AVMA, the AAHA dental care guidelines, VCA Animal Hospitals, the AKC, Cornell and Colorado State veterinary schools, PetMD, the ASPCA and the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), and the product notes come from hands-on use reported by Whole Dog Journal, Vetstreet’s vet interviews and the brands’ own pages, all linked where they are used and checked on 29 October 2026. We did not test these products ourselves, and we do not show prices or ratings. A toothbrush and toothpaste support home care; they do not treat dental disease.

Why brushing matters, and what it cannot do

The AVMA calls regular brushing the single most effective thing you can do to keep your pet’s teeth healthy between dental cleanings, and says daily brushing is best, though several times a week can be effective. Cornell also calls brushing the most effective method of home care. But brushing only removes plaque, not hardened tartar: the AAHA dental guidelines say even daily brushing does not replace anesthetized exams, X-rays and treatment, and VCA says tartar that has already formed needs professional scaling and polishing under general anesthesia. Our guide on how to brush a dog’s teeth covers the step-by-step routine.

What to look for in a dog toothbrush

• Soft bristles. Colorado State recommends an adult or child sized soft-bristle toothbrush with only light pressure, and says the bristle action is the most important part of brushing. The VOHC accepted list includes a plain ADA-compliant soft-bristle, flat head toothbrush, so a branded dog brush is not essential.
• An angled handle or two heads. The AKC says dog toothbrushes with angled handles, soft bristles and even multiple heads make it easier to reach the back of the mouth.
• A finger brush to start. VCA says many owners find a finger brush easier when they are just beginning. VCA adds that finger brushes can be harder to fit in very small dogs’ mouths, so having a couple of brush types helps.
• One brush per dog, replaced regularly. VCA suggests replacing the toothbrush every three months and using a different brush for each dog.

What to look for in a dog toothpaste

• Made for pets. VCA says human toothpaste contains ingredients like fluoride that should not be swallowed, some has high levels of sodium, and some contains xylitol, which is toxic for dogs. PetMD points out that dogs cannot spit toothpaste out.
• A flavor your dog likes. VCA lists poultry, beef, malt and mint among common pet toothpaste flavors. A paste your dog enjoys makes brushing a treat rather than a fight.
• Enzymatic, if you like. Colorado State says enzymatic pet toothpaste adds a beneficial biological function and a rewarding flavor. PetMD notes that if your dog accepts the brush but hates the paste, brushing without it still helps.
• The VOHC seal, if you want independent review. The Veterinary Oral Health Council reviews makers’ data and lets products that meet its standard for slowing plaque or tartar carry its seal. Its accepted products list names only a few dog toothpastes, including Petsmile Professional (plaque claim). Many well-liked pastes, such as Virbac C.E.T., are not on it.

Never use human toothpaste or xylitol

The AKC warns that human toothpaste contains ingredients like xylitol and fluoride that could cause significant harm. The ASPCA lists toothpaste, floss, mouthwash and breath mints among the products that can contain xylitol. If you use a spread or treat as a reward during brushing, check the label for xylitol first. If your dog swallows human toothpaste or anything with xylitol, call your vet or an animal poison control line right away.

When to see your vet first

The AVMA says your vet should check your dog’s teeth at least once a year, and sooner if you notice bad breath, broken or loose teeth, discolored or tartar-covered teeth, drooling or dropping food, pain in the mouth, bleeding or swelling. The AAHA guidelines note that brushing already inflamed gums causes pain and can make your dog hate brushing, so get a check first. The AVMA notes that the American Veterinary Dental College does not recommend dental cleanings without anesthesia, because they cannot clean or inspect below the gumline.

Our picks

Virbac C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit for Dogs

Best starter kit. Virbac says the kit contains a C.E.T. finger brush, a C.E.T. dual-ended toothbrush and C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste in poultry flavor, so you can begin with the finger brush and move to the regular brush. Vetstreet picked it as the best dog toothbrush and toothpaste kit, praising the dual brush heads and long handle. PetMD also names it among pet toothbrush options.

Best for: first-time brushers who want everything in one box. Skip if: your dog has a poultry allergy.

Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste

Best VOHC accepted toothpaste. It is on the VOHC accepted products list for dogs with a plaque claim. Vetstreet lists three flavors: Cheese, Rotisserie Chicken and London Broil. In Whole Dog Journal‘s test of four dog toothpastes, the tester dogs were skeptical of the London broil flavor at first but eventually warmed up to it. We could not reach the maker’s site to check its label ourselves.

Best for: owners who want a paste with the VOHC seal. Skip if: your dog is fussy about new tastes and you only want to buy one tube.

Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste, Poultry

Best flavor choice. Virbac sells it in five flavors (poultry, malt, vanilla-mint, beef and seafood), says it contains no foaming agents and is safe for pets to swallow, and notes the vanilla-mint flavor has no animal or grain proteins. Whole Dog Journal’s tester has used it for years on her vet’s advice; her dogs love the poultry flavor but liked the beef one less. Vetstreet says most of the vets it spoke with recommended it. It is not on the VOHC accepted list.

Best for: dogs that need a tasty paste to accept brushing. Skip if: the VOHC seal matters to you.

Vetoquinol Enzadent Dual-Ended Toothbrush

Best dual-ended toothbrush. Vetoquinol says it has a large head and a smaller head, set at angles, for dogs and cats of all sizes. Vetstreet named it the overall best dog toothbrush, noting the slightly angled heads and soft bristles. Pair it with any pet toothpaste above.

Best for: one brush that reaches big back teeth and small front teeth. Skip if: your dog is still at the finger brush stage.

The rest of the grooming kit is in the dog and cat grooming buying guide. Brushing a cat? Read how to brush a cat’s teeth.

FAQ

Can I use human toothpaste on my dog?

No. VCA, the AKC and PetMD all say to use toothpaste made for pets. Human toothpaste can contain fluoride, high sodium or xylitol, and dogs swallow it.

Can I use a child’s toothbrush?

Yes, if it is soft. Colorado State and Cornell both list a child-sized soft-bristled toothbrush as an option, and VCA says a soft baby toothbrush works for some dogs.

How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?

Daily is best, according to the AVMA, Cornell and Colorado State. VCA gives three times a week as the minimum.

Is a finger brush as good as a toothbrush?

Our view: a finger brush is a great way to start, and VCA says many owners find it easier at first. Once your dog accepts brushing, a soft-bristled brush reaches the gumline and back teeth more easily.

Does brushing replace dental cleanings at the vet?

No. The AAHA guidelines say even daily brushing does not replace anesthetized dental exams and treatment. Brushing helps between visits.